Del Mar, California
Del Mar (Spanish pronunciation: [del ˈmaɾ]; Spanish for "Of the Sea") is a beach town in San Diego County, California, located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean. Established in 1885 as a seaside resort, the city incorporated in 1959. The Del Mar Horse Races are hosted on the Del Mar racetrack every summer. The population was 3,954 at the 2020 census, down from 4,161 at the 2010 census.[5]
Government[edit]
The City of Del Mar is governed by a city council of five elected representatives. Each year a new mayor is chosen from among the councilmembers.[31] Tracy Martinez is the mayor in 2023.
In the California State Legislature, Del Mar is in the 38th Senate District, represented by Democrat Catherine Blakespear, and in the 77th Assembly District, represented by Democrat Tasha Boerner.[32]
In the United States House of Representatives, Del Mar is in California's 49th congressional district, represented by Democrat Mike Levin.[33]
Education[edit]
Del Mar is served by the Del Mar Union School District, which includes eight K–8 schools. High school education is provided by the San Dieguito Union High School District.
Transportation[edit]
The North County Transit District operates their BREEZE bus service. The historic Del Mar station once served passengers on the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway Surf Line and the Amtrak San Diegan intercity service between the early 1900s until its closure in 1995, due to the opening of the new Solana Beach station two miles north. That station provides Coaster commuter rail and Amtrak's Pacific Surfliner service. This trainline is the second busiest passenger rail corridor in the United States.[34]
The railroad tracks were built adjacent to coastal bluffs some 40 feet (12 m) above the beach. San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) is conducting a $3 million study on relocating the rail line farther inland through the city.[35] On August 16, 2020, the California Coastal Commission emphasized the need to move the railroad tracks inland due to the persistent coastal erosion which eats away at the bluff each year. The accelerating rate of sea level rise due to global warming adds urgency to the issue.[34][36] A tunnel under Del Mar which would cost more than $3 billion is being considered.[36]